Effect of Rifaximin on Hepatic Fibrosis in Bile Duct-ligated Rat Model.
10.4166/kjg.2017.70.5.239
- Author:
Seung Kak SHIN
1
;
Oh Sang KWON
;
Jong Joon LEE
;
Yeon Ho PARK
;
Cheol Soo CHOI
;
Sung Hwan JEONG
;
Duck Joo CHOI
;
Yun Soo KIM
;
Ju Hyun KIM
Author Information
1. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea. kos@gilhospital.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Liver fibrosis;
Bile duct ligation;
Rifaximin
- MeSH:
Animals;
Bacteria;
Bile Ducts;
Bile*;
Fibrosis*;
Humans;
Hydroxyproline;
Inflammation;
Ligation;
Lipopolysaccharides;
Liver;
Liver Cirrhosis;
Models, Animal*;
Rats*;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
- From:The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology
2017;70(5):239-246
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The translocation of bacteria and their lipopolysaccharides from the gut can promote fibrosis in cirrhotic patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rifaximin on hepatic fibrosis in a bile duct-ligated rat model. METHODS: The bile duct ligation (BDL) was carried out for eight days (acute injury model: sham-operated rats [G1], BDL rats [G2], and BDL rats treated with rifaximin [G3]) or 22 days (chronic injury model: sham-operated rats [G4], BDL rats [G5], and BDL rats treated with rifaximin [G6]). Rifaximin (50 mg/kg/day) was administered daily via gavage after BDL. Liver function, serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and hepatic hydroxyproline levels were measured. Moreover, a histological analysis of fibrosis contents was performed using sirius red stain. RESULTS: In the acute injury model, the liver function and TNF-α level were not improved after the rifaximin treatment. The hydroxyproline levels (µg/g liver tissue) in G1, G2, and G3 were 236.4±103.1, 444.8±114.4, and 312.5±131.6, respectively; and fibrosis contents (%) were 0.22±0.04, 1.64±0.53, and 1.66±0.44, respectively. The rifaximin treatment did not ameliorate acute BDL-induced fibrosis. In the chronic injury model, the hydroxyproline levels in G4, G5, and G6 were 311.5±72.9, 1,110.3±357.9, and 944.3±209.3, respectively; and fibrosis contents (%) were 0.19±0.03, 5.04±0.18, and 4.42±0.68, respectively (G5 vs. G6, p=0.059). The rifaximin treatment marginally ameliorated chronic BDL-induced fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Rifaximin did not reduce inflammation and fibrosis in bile duct-ligated rat model.